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Biodegradation of Ether Pollutants

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Consequences of Microbial Interactions with Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids: Biodegradation and Bioremediation

Part of the book series: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ((HHLM))

Abstract

Ether-bonded compounds are often poorly biodegradable and can become important environmental pollutants. In this chapter, we summarize the microorganisms and key enzymes associated with the aerobic biodegradation of some of the most environmentally significant alkyl, chlorinated, branched, and cyclic ethers. Particular emphasis is placed on representative compounds from each of these groups including dimethyl ether (DME), bis(2-chloroethyl) ether (BCEE), methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), and 1,4-dioxane (14D). The chapter emphasizes differences between growth-related and cometabolic ether biodegradation and the important roles that diverse oxygenase enzymes play in aerobic ether biodegradation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Amie McElroy

  2. Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Michael Hyman

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  1. Amie McElroy
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  2. Michael Hyman
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    Robert J. Steffan

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McElroy, A., Hyman, M. (2019). Biodegradation of Ether Pollutants. In: Steffan, R. (eds) Consequences of Microbial Interactions with Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids: Biodegradation and Bioremediation. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50433-9_27

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